Category Archives: self-improvement

For the purpose of a better future, financially and socially, fresh college and university graduate students generally search for jobs after graduation. After doing some research on the internet and thinking about some ideas and personal experiences myself, I realized that some ideas and actions if followed or implemented can increase the chance or possibility of getting a job. Sure, you can’t guarantee success quickly and 100 percent fully, but certain actions and ideas can be helpful in one way or another.

Interviews are the milestones that can lead to the job of your dreams. The two golden questions are : What are the things that you should remember while preparing for an interview? and What is the mindset you should adopt during an interview? The next two sections answer exactly these two questions.

Before an Interview

Prepare well for an interview in a certain company by reading about such company on the internet. Doing some research about the company will give the managers or head office administration of the company a better impression about you. You will be more knowledgeable and confident in giving relevant and decent information while answering certain questions. Besides, you will get to know more about the skills and qualifications required to be employed for a certain position inside a company. For example, if you apply for a marketing job or public relations task, it is natural that they would require good communication skills and outgoing friendly character, so doing some research about a company assists you to attain a decent job.

Try to find the location of the company whether on the net or by phone because this will help you arrive on time for an appointed interview.

If you are looking for a job, look after those being in harmony and alignment with your dreams as much as possible. The more you love your job, the more likely you will succeed. Besides, the more you believe in your words, actions and missions in life, the more is the probability that the interviewer or potential employer will trust your abilities and capacities just as in the example mentioned in the previous point.

Take care of your health ( healthy diet, plus some moderate sports ) because this helps you look in a better shape and appearance , give you a better mood to deal with new life situations and conditions , increase your productivity and improve the functioning of a human brain , as healthy mind exists in a healthy body… When you look healthy, you will get higher probability of being recruited for a job opportunity.

Remain up-to –date in technical skills and widen your new skills during the duration of time while you are still searching for a job. For example, while waiting to find a job, try to learn new computer programs and develop your skills that may be useful to get a job.

Take Steps to learn a new widely used language like Spanish, German, Arabic or French (If you are not a native speaker) or become more fluent in English being the nowadays business language that may help you find a job outside your native country sometimes. Today, through the internet, you can apply online for a job vacancy abroad without having to show up personally at first. Moreover, learning a new language will make it easier to travel around in foreign countries as a visitor or tourist. It facilitates applying for a job in a company there that may sponsor you and help you get a work visa and residence. For example, some people while visiting Dubai for tourism sought and found a job there to be able to live and work in Dubai afterwards (sure, one would have to like the place to live in it).

Well done and suitable cover letter: A well done and rich cover letter can uplift your chances in obtaining a job. An example mentioned in a book called “ Think and Grow rich “ written by Napoleon Hill is about a woman who prepared very well for a cover letter for her son as a fresh graduate and listed some information in it that has helped him achieve a high position in a company as a new entrant that would have required him years to reach.

Well prepared CV: Make a concise CV that mentions the best quality information about your achievements, education and experience in a clear and brief way that is easy to understand.

Get counsel from other graduate students you know or from your friends and relatives. Sharing ideas and experiences can be really beneficial. Your acquaintances, relatives or friends can lead you to new companies or introduce you to high ranking managers in companies that you look forward to work with. Although listening to advice and other points of views can be fruitful in some cases, but you should question what you hear or read as each person has his or her own character with different preferences; what works for others may not necessarily work for you and vice versa.

If you do not find a job in few months, why not get training in a company especially in your domain or major? Getting training for little or even no salary for a short period of time at first can help you get practical life experience, acquire needed skills, broaden your knowledge, enrich your CV and even strengthen your self confidence. You could get hired for that company later on or at least you could make new helpful friendships. I personally heard about people who got good jobs in banks after being on trial for few months getting only transportation benefits before being recruited for such jobs.

Sign up for job notifications in topics that interest you. You may do this through job search engines such as Indeed.com or simple job sites such as career-watch.info.

Always have hope as life is really abundant, wonderful and friendly. Sometimes, through temporary failure, mistakes we make or what seems as hard life lessons, we get wiser, better and stronger.

During an Interview

Dress in a neat and appropriate way for a job interview as this can give a better idea about you especially to people you meet personally for the first time.

Be positive in an interview as much as possible. Even, if you are asked to mention some of your weaknesses, tell them that you also do your best to overcome them and to discover new constructive ways of solving problems. You can say that you are ready to acquire new knowledge to improve and enrich your skills. However, do not mention your weaknesses unless you are asked.

Give relevant answers to questions for you not to be out of topic. Being consistent and focused in your responses and stating information as briefly as possible constitute a credit for you in an interview and so leave behind a better reputation.

Answer, as much as you can, in a relaxed and calm manner. This will show that you have the ability to approach different life situations in a rational and balanced manner.

When questioned about the reasons for seeking employment in a specific company, say that you would contribute and add value to the company because you love your career and the job applying to. For instance, you may say that you can help others get inspired towards a better futuristic goal and vision of the company. It makes a wonderful difference if you are creative in terms of developing new ideas, new services and products that can boost productivity and strengthen the company. As an example, a young man applying for an IT job in an internet related company convinced the owner (who is a Lebanese American billionaire) in his speech that he was really interested, skillful, motivated and committed to work in such a task, so he got employed there.

Charming character and positive attitude can help you connect with the manager and the employees. As a particular example , if you have managed in life to build up your self-confidence , this may show up in the interview and the head office may see that such a confident person if employed may inspire and encourage others to progress and do better work. If the employer notices that you smile from your heart and be really happy to start your job, this will give you a higher chance to be accepted for a job offer.

Be yourself in search for a job to the best of your ability: Try to act naturally, but sure, it is better to be a little careful with your behavior and words with people you meet for the first time .However, to act in an ordinary normal way and not to pretend to be much different from how you really are is better for both the interviewer and the interviewee. For instance, if you are not that kind of person that has really a smiley face or easy-going character, you can’t be a salesman in a trading company. When you are on trial (testing period of time), the managers can get to notice many aspects of your personality as they get to know more about you before officially hiring you in the company.

Even if you cannot get what you desire at first, keep on going, go ahead and see in what areas you can get better. You never know what opportunities and joyful experiences, life may bring to you as result of having patience, gratitude and optimism. God never closes a door without opening many other doors. Actually, the creator of the universe offers us many opportunities (and not just one) for us to benefit from, but we have to open up our minds and act to the best of our ability to get inspired and prosper. He always shows us his mercy and love in both sadness and happiness. Seek and you will find and knock the door and it shall be opened for you. Let us wish you all the best in life…

There is a saying that: “The grass is greener on the other side of the fence “. Sometimes, you view what others have as better than what you have (although it might not be really better in some ways). Besides, everything has pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages). Rather than only noticing that others posses better than what you have, wouldn’t it be better to make self-development? Definitely, it would be much better if you try to improve what you already have, whether physical properties or mental abilities. It could be learning new skills, seeking creative constructive ideas, studying to obtain a new certificate or experiencing new things. Likewise, if necessary, why wouldn’t you water the grass in your garden if needed? For sure, it would be a better idea to cultivate and even fertilise your garden to make it as good looking as your neighbor’s garden. Be always happy with what you already have in the present with ambitious plans for the future to make things better and better day after day.

You may wish you had as much money as millionaires or famous high income celebrities worldwide. But, if you examine their personal lives more deeply and wisely getting to know more about them, you will notice they may be busier than you. Being more concerned about their work and wealth, they may have a less peaceful life than an ordinary person sometimes.

You have not put yourself in his or her place to see what his or her real personal life is. You desire what you do not possess sometimes. In some cases, if you receive what you desire, you will find it to be something normal or ordinary. For that reason, be thankful for what you already have. You may have blessings more than you think.God blessings are greater and more abundant than the whole universe although they are sometimes hidden.

If creative and visionary, you could discover that you have something which turns out to be a treasure. A small idea could turn your passions into riches. I was reading a short story from a book written by a famous Lebanese writer called Gibran khaleel Gibran. In the story, a village man owned an old statue but did not care about it. One day a wise man from a nearby city asked him if he would sell it for a silver coin and the country man agreed to sell it happily saying it was of no value. After a while, the villager came to the city to buy things he needed. He saw a group of people gathering in front of a shop and paying to enter. The village man entered the shop to find the wise city man receiving 2 silver coins from each person coming in to see an old monument which he found to be exactly the same one he sold for only 1 silver coin. You can conclude sometimes that things which you think are useless could turn to be a source of income. It is possible that the villager could have sold that old sculpture for dozens of silver coins had he known its importance and value. As I read in a book, riches and wealth can be found in human thoughts and minds more than in gold mines and diamonds.

In some ways, you are responsible for creating the life that you like. It is known that for good things to come, they should live in your mind first, so start to believe and act to the best of your ability so that your life can be as good as you wish. Now, I will talk about my personal experience. I am from Lebanon, which is a country in the Middle East just on the Eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon is a country known for its pleasant moderate climate and wonderful nature, where beaches are close to mountains. Lebanon has been mentioned in the Holy Bible several times and has different religions. It has a lot of artists, thinkers and writers compared to its population size. Lebanon is rich in cultural heritage being a crossroad where many civilisations passed and intermixed. Its cuisine is rich and its food tastes good. Moreover, my country has a great robust banking sector. I hear and see people from other countries like Jordan, Tunisia and Egypt saying that Lebanon is nice. Despite all these blessings found in my homeland, I thought of moving to a more politically stable country with a higher average income compared to Lebanon considered a middle income country. Many times, I dreamed of migrating to Canada being a well developed country with prosperous economy, but then I thought that Canada has a generally cold and sometimes even freezing weather in some districts especially in the winter. Despite the fact that Canada has high working salaries and amazing living standards, I realised that as a new comer to Canada, I would have to pay part of my income there to either rent or buy a new house. In my country, I own a house and few pieces of land. There is a saying in the Arabic language: “Contentment is a treasure that stays forever” which means appreciating what you have is itself an everlasting treasure. In addition, if you look through the blessings of God, you find them to be unlimited and countless. I found out that we, the Lebanese or at least some of us, are not the only people on earth who think of migrating outside our country for one reason or another. Some people from other countries like Egypt, Syria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Philippines come to Lebanon to work to get higher income compared to their mother country. With all modesty, I say that even in years of stability in their countries, some Syrian and Egyptian people say that they dream of working in Lebanon.

I found out through research on the internet that even in well developed and advanced countries like United Kingdom about 5 million UK citizens have left their country to some other countries from 1990 till 2016. Likewise, millions of Italian people have migrated to different countries abroad. These are just few examples of cases where man can view “the grass greener on the other side of the fence” as said in English.

Consequently, instead of thinking of leaving my country, I would stay in my homeland near my family and try to improve my situation in many areas of my life as much as possible. I noticed that if I improve my personal situation, I can help others in my country improve their lives directly or indirectly. Many are the ways by which I can improve my well being. It could be through going to work earlier in the morning to be more productive and efficient. Maybe, it is through being kinder to other people and more positive in life. Another good way would be to obtain more constructive ideas and actions or increase education and knowledge. Practising some sports and meditation moderately is a very good idea to help me feel better. In short, if I want my native country to become a better place to live in, I should start myself to become a better person (even if I am just an ordinary citizen). Every person constitutes a part of one’s nation or state and can be a source of inspiration for others to make sustainable development.

Anyway, it would be preferable and more useful if you try to shift your mindset and energy to attain higher level of success while remaining humble. You are, like any other human being, capable in various ways to achieve prosperity if you use your God given abilities. Each person is born equally to other people but with different talents and abilities, which if he or she believes in and makes the best use of, may progress. Many are the examples of children coming from poor backgrounds become heroes. A good example is Thomas Edison, who used to sell candy and newspapers in the train to earn the cost of buying equipment and material for his laboratory. He tried many experiments before growing into a brilliant famous inventor. In conclusion, do your best and leave the rest. When you take care of yourself, God will take more care of you.

Benefit from opportunities as much as you can whenever they are present. Hopefully, the benefit and improvement will show gradually whether slowly or quickly. There is a saying:” Rome was not built in one day”. Take enough time and give adequate effort to build up step by step whatever you seek. For instance, if someone owns a house or an apartment better than yours, you shall persistently try to work as hard and good as he does to build or buy a better house if you want. (Remember that if someone has more money or larger house, it does not always guarantee that he is happier than you because happiness comes mainly from inside more than from outside). You can create your own happiness, contentment, enlightenment and prosperity. Always be grateful to the universe and the creator of the universe while doing your best to achieve your goals and fulfil your dreams. This makes more sense and gives more hope than just noticing that some individuals seem to be very lucky compared to you.

When you meditate quietly and feel peaceful and calm, you are in contact with the universal mind or God. You have to believe and trust that the universe will bring good things to you. Sometimes , you have to take inspired action and trust your mind and emotions especially when you feel it is time to take action and move on with the flow of the universe. You have to be open and prepared to benefit from any opportunity life offers you to rise up and succeed. Sure to get beautiful things , you should love and be glad with what you are doing. Love all that you receive even if you are not exactly what you seek. Be happy , thankful and see what you desire as manifested and done in the now. Some perceive time to just be an illusion, so the past , now and the future is all one. Always forgive yourself of the past , learn from it and recreate in your mind in a better way to get an improved and wonderful future. Reality is a reflection of ones mind and thoughts, so the universe gets the signal from your thoughts . Therefore, always care to have good and happy thoughts. The human mind is the highest level of creation created by God , so before anything can happen in the world , it has to happen in the human mind.Feel the joy and send love to find and get increasing joy, blessing and love.In that manner , you will connect more to the universal mind created by God. God is loving and generous. Believe also that the universe is friendly. All you can get and grasp is many great aspects of life.

In this video , you learn to be grateful for every aspect in you life and focus on good things in life that is meant to be abundant , joyful and lovely. They are telling you to take life easily and do the things you love to do. There is a great power inside each person that is as great as the world. Let us enjoy life.The more we feel the joy and be thankful, the better we feel about life and the grearter shall we receive from univervse.

As you view this enriching and beneficial video taken in these wonderful natural scenes, you notice that positive affirmations are statements said in self talking or meditation to affirm and ensure positive self image and confidence. Positive statements can be encouraging , uplifting, helpful and empowering. For sure , when you use the word repetitively I am getting better and better everyday ,for example ,and truely believe, it will help you become better each day and compel you to take better and more inspired action. Positive affirmations especially when accompanied by truthful, honest and continuous belief can make step by step improvement if God wills. It is a way to help you connect to divine truth and infinite intelligence.
If we repeat positive statements like I am happy , you are talking to your subconscious mind that you are always happy.It can help you have happy thoughts , feelings and can help you act in a manner that induces more joy. Off course , you should try to take actions that enhances inner feelings of contentment like helping other people and doing activities that you like such as sports or listening to music or whatever you wish. Positive Affirmations need to be persistent and in line with positive feelings and constructive good actions. It gives you a way of being more optimistic person unleashing your greater power of sustainable development and prosperity.

Life goes on no matter what happens. Life is abundant and generous , but to go on when faced with some rough times we need to stay positive , open minded and optimistic when unexpected changes take place. We need to always regain hope that we can turn things around. For example , when we lose a job , we can still make changes in our lives in a positive way to find a better job or even create our own business. Let us move on. Maybe , we can learn new skills or sort out new constructive and progressive ideas that can make us more productive and successful no matter how our situation seems like. You can overcome whatever difficulties you face.

I agree with Sonia Ricotti that in good and easy situations , we might not take action or even think of making changes for the better hopefully. But if we face little difficulties , we look forward to make beneficial changes. Sometimes we might not like something that can be a blessing in disguise. There are verses in the Holy Qoraan and the Holy Bible that says that we may dislike things being good for us and God knows but we do not recognise. Out of some life experiences, I find it really true.
You can always prosper and learn anything from new experiences and challenges that face us. Always be thankful and optimistic. Live your life and keep on doing the things that you like such as sports or any other hobby if possible. If you seek happiness , joy and prosperity , you can find it. Try to move on in a positive attitude and in a persistent manner to find the goodness and joy in life.